Endometriosis, dysmenorrhoea and diet

Hansen SO, S O Hansen, Svend Ole Hansen, Knudsen UB, U B Knudsen, Ulla Breth Knudsen
European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology · 2013 · vol. 169(2) , pp. 162–171 · doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2013.03.028 · PMID:23642910 · W2061472702
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-07 ⓘ

This paper examines the relationship between endometriosis, painful menstruation, and dietary habits.

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Abstract

ObjectiveTo review the literature on the effects of diet on endometriosis and dysmenorrhoea.Study designA systematic search for trials investigating a relationship between diet and endometriosis/dysmenorrhoea was undertaken, and 23 studies were included in this review.ResultsData on the relationship between diet and endometriosis were limited to 12 trials, three of which were animal studies, resulting in a total of 74,708 women. One large study (n=70,709) found a relatively strong association between endometriosis and trans-fatty acid consumption, and a lower risk of endometriosis with increased consumption of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. The latter finding was also supported by smaller studies. No further dietary recommendations for reducing the risk of endometriosis were possible, and results for intake of vegetable, fibre and fruit were equivocal. The relationship between diet and dysmenorrhoea was investigated in 11 trials with different designs, including a total of 1433 women. Intake of fish oil seemed to reduce dysmenorrhoea.ConclusionThe literature on endometriosis and dysmenorrhoea in relation to diet is sparse, yielding equivocal results on specific elements. Overall, however, the literature suggests that specific types of dietary fats are associated with endometriosis and/or dysmenorrhoea, thereby indicating that there may be modifiable risk factors. Further research is recommended on both subjects.

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Condition tags

dysmenorrheaendometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Diet Dysmenorrhea Endometriosis Diet Dysmenorrhea Dysmenorrhea Endometriosis Endometriosis Fatty Acids, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Omega-3 Female Humans

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (54)

Cited by (18)

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK